THE CANONS REGULAR OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

 

A CALLING FOR YOU?

VOCATION

 

YOU have a vocation. -It comes automatically with being baptised.

The word 'Vocation' means calling, and at Baptism you are called to live a life which is close to God, whose Spirit is given to you.

This life is your life here and now. No matter what you are doing you have to live out your Baptism, this is your right as a Christian, your task until you die.

Some people feel drawn towards marriage, getting close to God with the help of a family. They feel they could be happy doing an ordinary job.

Others respond to the challenge of God';s call to be a priest. - This could be your way to self-fulfilment: do you feel drawn towards serving God and his people in this way?

As with any serious decision in your life you will have to  think about it. As it involves God you must pray, talk to him. You could also ask others what they think about the possibility.

Perhaps you are called to love God through serving him and other people in a special way: as a priest.

 

THE CANONS REGULAR OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

 

The Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception are a group of priests who work almost exclusively in small teams in parishes.

We were founded in France just over a hundred years ago by Fr Adrian Gréa who wanted to restore to the Church the possibility of having priests praying working and living in teams in the community, in parishes.

This work is now carried out in Italy, France, England, Canada, Peru, Brazil and the USA. In each parish the approach reflects the different situation of each country, its people and its area.

Our Order is associated with other branches of Canons Regular,  like those with dogs on Mount St. Bernard   in Switzerland. The international dimension does give the richness of the wider family of Canons Regular. We can say too, that in our communities each man is more than a fellow-worker, he is also a brother.

Each member of the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception makes, at the end of his training, vows (serious religious promises) of poverty, chastity and obedience. These free him to devote himself to the love of God and other people with the minimum of ties and handicaps, so that he can respond to their needs.

We do not have large Monasteries, or schools. In our parishes we, like other priests, follow the directives of the Bishop. But as members of our Order we gain strength and support from each other.

Our name is unusual, we are rather proud of it. The Canons Regular - of which we are part - are the oldest Religious Order in the Church and take precedence of the rest . The  first Canons were the priests who lived with the Bishop and helped him with his work. Later these Canons were given a rule: so they became 'Canons Regular'. Later still these were grouped into individual Orders, each with its central administration.

Father Gréa wished to restore the early idea of the Canons Regular: working in parishes: and approached Pope Pius IX for permission to do this. The Pope himself, who had declared our Lady to be free from Original Sin, Immaculately Conceived, placed the Order under her patronage as the one who showed the love of God in a particular way.

 

THE PRIESTLY LIFE

 

Because we, the Canons Regular of the Immaculate `Conception, usually work in parishes, meeting and helping all sorts of people, it is impossible to give a typical day. This  is what makes our life so challenging - we never know what will happen next.

Nevertheless, there has to be one fixed point: God, who helps us respond to the challenge. The priest has to be a man of prayer for this, and so, as with all priests he must have time set apart for prayer each day. Without this contact with God we as priests, as Canons Regular, would be totally ineffective. There is Mass, of course, and also the four or five other periods set aside each day for the official prayer of the Church. Because we are Canons Regular, living and working as a team together we pray this prayer of the Church together, as a community.

In the parishes we usually divide the work according to the needs of the parish and the specialities of each priest. Sometimes, of course, we get a job that is not too pleasant, but where does this not happen?

Currently we have three parishes in England. These are in Harlow in Essex, and Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire. Both are New Towns, which present very different challenges to us.

The life in the parish is Coordinated between the priests. Days off are arranged, so that they can maintain the efficiency which the parishioners expect, rightly so, of their priests. We have to cope with anything that comes: baptisms, marriages, funerals, happy people, sad people. These events sometimes disturb the careful planning of our time, but we must always respond to them, trying to bring Jesus to the people.

As priests working in parishes we get the salary fixed by the Bishop, together with the usual gifts, Mass Offerings and so on. Because we are an Order these are pooled, and each takes according to his needs.

There is also a central fund for major items of expenditure.

 

THE VOWS

 

The Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception take the usual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They indicate a total dedication of ourselves to God. In a similar way the marriage vows underline the total dedication of the partners to each other.

It is easy, and wrong, to picture them negatively: no family, no money, no choice of action. They are positive ideas: they free us for total service for others in our parishes. They can help you to be free in the service of God.

These vows also bear witness to the spiritual values that we promise. Values that other people often overlook. Our way of life shows our commitment to Jesus and his message. The vows we feel, liberate us. They strengthen us in our work and help us to fulfil our destiny, enabling others to grow towards God.
Could they be your way to total freedom?

 

Poverty

We share the same life, unhampered by the burden of   possessions. Each contributes to the community, and takes according to the need. - Just like living in a loving family.

Chastity

We are free of ties to a home, to a family. As a member of a larger family we are able to respond to the needs of others. The power of our love is available for the people to whom we minister.

Obedience

We are totally free to help others who may be in need. It is a sign that we recognise that sometimes other people have a right to demand that we act for the common good, responding in love, perhaps even against what we feel at first.

 

TRAINING

 

Your training as a Canon Regular of  the Immaculate Conception will be unique because lt will be geared to one person: you.

It begins with a brief period of introduction: a time for 'getting to know you', with no obligations on either side. This generally lasts a few months.

When comes the Novitiate, when you learn about us and we learn about you and your reaction to different environments. Frankly, this can be tough, but very worthwhile. During it your potential will be explored. Expect to be stretched spiritually; this is when the foundations of your spiritual life will be laid, by you  with our help.

During the novitiate there will be discussion about your future, and the options will have been investigated.

We do not have our own seminaries (places where priests are trained) but use the many facilities of London: Heythrop College, part of the University of London; Allen Hall, the seminary for the London area; and the Missionary Institute in Totteridge. You may also go to our International House in Rome, to study at one of the universities there.

Your abilities and inclinations will be paired with the courses currently offered by these places. Naturally your  spiritual growth will not be neglected during this time.

 

DISCERNMENT OF YOUR VOCATION

 

A Vocation can be sometimes sensed as a feeling that God wants you for a certain kind of life. A parallel may be the feeling that two people have when they first start being attracted to each other as a preliminary to getting married. A feeling which is vague but positive.  But how do you know what your call is?    Try answering these questions 'yes' or 'no'.

 

1 I like to go to Mass

2 I want to do what Jesus wants

3 I want to please my parents

4 I want to help others

5 I want to escape from home, school or job

6 I want to learn more about God

7 I don't like girls

8 I want to share my life with others

9 I want a secure life

10 I want to tell others about God.

 

If you answered 'yes' to most of the even number questions you should carry on thinking about the priesthood to see if it is attractive to you.

If you answered 'yes' to most of the odd numbered questions then perhaps you should look at your reasons for wanting to be a priest a bit more closely; for they are not enough on their own.

 

You may have some "BUTS"

 

But I haven't been good enough...

St. Peter denied Jesus three times. St. Augustine had an illegitimate son. Both searched for and found Jesus eventually. Is Jesus an important person in your life, here and now?

 

BUT I  may do more good as a layman and husband...

Perhaps, perhaps not. The priesthood demands normal competent men. Which sort of life draws you more, will really satisfy you?

 

BUT I'm too young...

Perhaps, but you can start thinking and finding our about it,  above all you have time to pray.

 

BUT I may fail...

 

You can at least try. If you offer yourself to God he will never be outdone in generosity.

 

FINALLY

 

You may still be uncertain about your future: but we are rarely certain in this life. All vocations are alive and active, a vital part of the person. They are never fixed to a formula. How could they be, for they are for each individual to hear his own.

 

If you are drawn to work in a parish in a team, as a Canon Regular of the Immaculate Conception, then do pray. The challenge is yours.

I am always pleased to advise you, helping you in your search for God's will.

James M. Cassidy

 

 

Rev. Dr. James M. Cassidy, C.R.I.C.

St. Augustine's

Langcliffe Drive

Heelands

MILTON KEYNES MK  13 7PL       U.K.

james.cassidy@zetnet.co.uk

http://www.st-augustinesmk.org.uk 

 

Pe. Clemente (Tino) Treccani - c.r.i.c.

Seminário S. Mônica

Rod. GO 420 - Km 05

Faz. Sobradinho

75440-000 Brazabrantes - GO

Brazil

ctreccani@bol.com.br